Carton erecting machine



Aug. 22, 1961 A, HULLEY 2,996,960

CARTON ERECTING MACHINE med Aug. 14, 1959 14 sheets-sheet 1 l` el: l .l l nl |Il Q Il Il 1 l i! l i H 2 1" /2 2|6` 5 9o 2I8 i i |32 92 i '0/4 ||2| E4/lle El@ 6^ 'f HMP i lO O 2|4- 'i W ||o '80 los 98 |20 2l2 f l"1' I L la 88 t 1` 22o 1 I |68 |1 sa-1m] 59 5e l Lk 52 5 48 |94 il l 94 I I .Il l

E Q FIGZ INVENTOR. I' i @|24 i ALBERT HULLEY x BY S f f 1| I f 3 O W4@ H6 [ing Il4 his attorneys.

Aug. 22, 1961 A. HuLLl-:Y

CARTON ERECTING MACHINE 14 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 14, 1959 INVENTOR.

ALBERT HULLEY fgf his arforneys.

A. HULLEY CARTON ERECTING MACHINE Aug. 22, 1961 14 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 14, 1959 INVENTOR.

ALBERT HULLEY his attorneys,

Aug. 22, 1961 A. HULLEY 2,996,960

CARTON ERECTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 14, 1959 14 Sheets-Sheet 4 als ' 'L @am als |74 2|4 |52 74 xles 208 l |34 f\\ a zoe |36 frz j alo 79 Y "g ;glf ff;

O\ f1 O O q 2|2 i /l V Lul LDI l 78 |54 |44 i/v INVENTOR.

ALBERT HULLEY his attorneys,

Aug. 22, 1961 A. HULLEY CARTON ERECTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 14, 1959 14 SheeLS-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

ALBERT HULLEY {gJM/.f

his attorneys.

Aug. 22, 1961 A. HULLEY CARTON ERECTING MACHINE 14 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Aug. 14, 1959 1N VENTOR.

ALBERT HULLEY his attorneys.

Aug. 22, 1961 A. HULLEY 2,996,960

CARTON ERECTING MACHINE INVENTOR.

ALBERT HULLEY his offorneys.

14 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Aug. 14, 1959 INVENTOR.

ALBERT HULLEY his a fforneys.

Aug 22, 1961 A. HULLEY 2,996,960

CARTON ERECTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 14, 1959 14 Sheets-Sheet 9 his attorneys.

Aug. 22, 1961 Filed Aug. 14, 1959 14 Sheets-Sheet 10 El lr l [E H '96 |98 L"\ FIGZI INVENTOR.

ALBERT HULLEY Maf@ his attorneys.

Aug. 22, 1961 A. HULLEY CARTON ERECTING MACHINE:

14 Sheets-Sheet 11 Filed Aug. 14, 195

FIGZZ INVENTOR. ALBERT HULLEY his aforneys,

Aug. 22, 1961 A. HULLEY CARTON ERECTING MACHINE 14 Sheets-Sheet 12 Filed Aug. 14, 1959 mm U 3 2. mm F INVENTOR.

ALBERT HULLEY #SQ/M his attorneys.

A. HULLEY CARTON ERECTING MACHINE Aug. 22, 1961 14 Sheets-Sheet 13 Filed Aug. 14, 1959 mmm NNE wm @E www INVENTOR.

ALBERT HULLEY 4 Sl/A/uf his afforn eys.

Aug. 22, 1961 A. HULLEY 2,995,960

. CARTON ERECTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 14, 195s 14 sheets-sheet 14 24041 fvg/58 m58 N F| G 2 8 FIGO INVENTOR. ALBERT HULLEY his attorneys.

,l Y f 2,996,960 i CARTON ERECTING MACHINE Albert Hulley, Teall'Beach, N.Y.,.'assignor, by mesne assignments, to Riegel Paper Corporation, New York, `N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 14, 1959, Ser. No. 833,749

` 12 Claims. (Cl. 93-37) This invention relates to machines for automatically erecting collapsible cellular cartons suchl as designed for retail distribution of eggs and other articles, with collapsible side walls and transverse cell forming partitions, one object of the invention being to provide a more simple, eiicient and reliable machine for the purposes indicated.

Such cartons, as those for holding eggs, are stored and shipped in compact collapsed condition so as to require erection prior to filling with contents. The erection of the cell partitions by hand is alaborious and time-consuming procedure, particularly where any considerable number of such cartons require erection. Hand operated, semi-automatic machines and alsov motor-driven automatic machines havebeen designedgfor accomplishing this operation, but such machines have been insufiiciently rapid and reliable in operation, or complicated and'expensive to manufacture, and a further objecty of this invention, therefore, is to provide an improved hand or motor-driven machine which is more compact, rapid and reliablein operation, while more practical and economical to'manufacture..

Another objectA isto provide a machine of the above character with means for holding a substantial quantity Of tcollapsedcartonsand for precisely -andcompletely erect- Sing' land delivering l'the Samenquantity ready forjuse.

A further yobject is to providea machine havingthe :above advantages. and employing a simple, compact, :straight line 'motion' 4ofthe main operating" parts-.for .accomplishing rapid feeding, erecting and ejecting of the cartons. l 1.

To these and other ends the invention resides in cer- A.tain improvements and combinations of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel feaeturesbeing pointed out in the clains at the end of the specification.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a hand-driven embodiment of the invention, showing a carton in the hopper :and the parts in initial position; z.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view on the line 2--2 in FIG. 1 showing one end of the' erecting means or head and its erecting lingers;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but showing the head lowered and a carton partially erected;

IFIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary elevation of certain of the fingers `for erecting the transverse partitionsas shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but with the lingers spread to complete the erection;

FIG. 6 is an elevation of operating mechanism as viewed from the left in FIG. -1 with parts broken awayl for better illustration; i

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 with the parts in the position shown in FIG. 3;

iFIG. 8 is a sectional elevation of parts on the line;

8-8 in FIG. 1, showing the erecting means in initial position ready to engage'and feed-a carton from the hbpper; Y y

FIG. 9 is a sectional elevation on the line 9-9 in FIG. 1, but showing a carton fed from the hopper in position for commencement of the erection; FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9, but with-the erect'- ing head further lowered and the'erecting operation bee i men-t of erection of the transverse partitions by the ejectingmeans as seenfrom-the right in FIG.- ZG;

2,996,960 Patented Aug. 22, .19,61

r Z I t.

gun; FIG. 11 is a sectional elevation similar to FIG. 8, but. with the cartonarrested by stop means and the erection further advanced than in FIG. 10'; 1j FIG. l2 is a view similar to lFIG. 1l with commenceerect-' ing fingers; j, FIG. 13 is a fragmentary, sectional elevation of cer1: tain of the parts shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 but in further.' erecting position; FIG. 14 is a fragmentary, sectional elevation of cer tain of the parts shown in FIG. 10, but in a more ad; vanced position; y v FIG. 15 is a fragmentary, sectional elevation similar to FIG. 8, but with the erecting head returned to initial position andthe 4carton erected ready for ejection; FIG. 16 is a'view similar to FIG. 13 but showing further movement of the parts; FIG. 17 is a rear elevation of hopper means with the hopper in section; l. FIG. 18 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view-ori the line 18-18 in FIG. 1, showing the adjustable stops" forarresting the feed ofthe carton; FIG. -19 is a-perspective view of a carton erected -b4 the machine;N FIG. 2 0 is a fragmentary sideelevation partly insec tion showing the ejecting and stacking of cartons in the receiving tray; 1 FIG. -21A is -a -rear-elevation of the receiving tray-and `faro. zz-is a view similarfo Pra-6, but showin-ge modified motor-driven embodiment with the partsv shown, in initial position in full -linesand certainrof -theypartg in-normalnal position in dottedl lines;

FIG. 23' is a view-similar -to FIG. 22,-but with the ymovement of the parts arrested, as by-a dislocated carton and actuating an`emergenc`y motor switch;

FIG. 24 isa reduced side elevation of the motor driviing means of FIG. 22 and receiving and ejecting means# FIG. 25 is a fragmentary view of parts omitted'at the right in FIG. 24; t

FIG. 26 is an end elevation of crank operating partsI shown in FIG. 24; IG. 27 is a sectional view on the line 27--27 in FIGE FIG. 28 is a frontend elevation of the carton receivingv tray and ejecting b elts therein as viewed froml the'right inFIG.24; Y -l- FIG. 29 is a fragmentary top planv view of the receiving' tray and its ejecting belts and extension belts shown iny FIG. 24, and

FIG. 30 is a fragmentary front elevation of micro-- switch means shown at the top of FIG. 23 for opening the motor circuit on completing erection of a quantity of cartons.

-The embodiments of the invention herein disclosedare adapted for use with cellular cartons of the type disclosed in Inman Patents Nos. 2,277,327 and 2,556,088, particularly the modified arrangement of thetransverse partitions shown in FIG. 19 hereof. Such cartons are commonly made of a one-piece blank of material cut, scored and folded to form a carton having two parallel,-` rows of individual cells and comprising front and rearl side Walls 30`and 32 (FIG. 19) foldably connected, re`

s'pectively, with the outer edges of bottom sections v34-` bytriangular portions 42. These transverse partitions are notched and adapted to be swung inwardly and down! wardly into notches in the top of the longitudinal partition 38, as shown, to form a row of cells on each side of the longitudinal partition. The top of the rear wall has foldably connected thereto a closure wall or cover v44 having on its outer edge a series of tongues 46, for locking engagement with the triangular portions 42 in closed position. The top wall (with its partitions V40) is scored to form a central, longitudinal yfold line about which it may .be collapsed as lthe bottom sections are swung together about their fold lines with the bottoms of the side Walls and longitudinal partition, thus collapsing the body of the carton in a tiat condition Yas shown in the hopper in FIG. 6.

The present machine has a structural steel frame made of angle bars, comprising four corner legs, as 48 (FIG. 1). The legs are connected by suitable cross braces and have their upper ends connected by horizontal angle bars, as v50 (FIG. l) to form a table-like top for the frame open at vits center and forward side. An angle bar 52 spaced from and parallel with the angle bar 50 of the top frame, as viewed from the -front of the machine (FIG. 1) yis connected with the .rear angle bar of the top frame and with a short front bar 54 and .these top frame elements .support the major portionof the mech- Such mechanism comprises mainly a hopper .for collapsed cartons, carton feeding and erecting means, .carton supporting means, tray means forreceiving the erected cartons and manual or motor driving means for the .mechanism, as will now be described. .The frame top has .bolted thereon at 156 (FIG. ,1) an upstanding main casting 58 having side posts57 attached thereto andsupporting a top cross bar59 .together framing a central opening 60 therein. A chute-likehopper .6.2, FIG. 6,.has ,its forward Aend 64 bolted to ,the -rearside of posts 57, the bed of thehopper being level with the bottom 86 of the opening 60 of the above casting parts for discharging collapsed ,cartons through the opening- The hopper is Yprovided with .a presser or pusher frame .comprising upstanding wire Velements .66 (FIG. ,17) fixed on a plate 68, with the outer elements 66 extended to provide a .handle `loop 70. This presserframe is supported by a parallel motion linkage 72-.74 (FIGS. y6 and .17) operating through .a slot 76 VYinthe hopper and pivotally mounted on a bar 78 fixed on and projecting from a rear cross har A79 on the .bottomof casting 58, with a coiled spring 80 urging the frame toward Ythe casting. The frame presses .astack of collapsed cartons 82 against retainer elements 84 on the casting side posts 5 7 above the .bottom 86 ofits opening and against fingers 88 .dependingfrom said side Aposts Aabove the opening 60 and with their lower ends spaced in front of the bottom edge of .the .opening 60 a `distance suicenttopermit-the downward feeding .from the hopper of its foremost carton by means hereafter described.

.The erecting means comprises a head 9.0. shown in its uppermost position in FIG. .1 and in a partially lowered positionin FIG. .3. AHead90 has a bifurcated portion 92 at one end embracing and sliding on a vertical guide, rod 94.carried.by the ,casting vparts. The opposite end of the headis formed withabearing ,slidablygengaging a vertical guide rod 96 carried by the castingv parts to thussupport the-head..for astraightnline, vertical sliding movement. The head is provided at ,the-.bottom of itsrear side with feedingingers 98 (FIGS. 1 and 11)positioned to .engage .the .upper edge .100 of the collapsed ybodyportion of the carton, to ,feed the same ldown through :casting opening 60 between .thebottom-ofgthe casting opening and its fingers .88. The lower'ends ofngers198are upwardly and forwardly inclined to .start the forward unfolding movementof the carton body portions.

.The erecting head 90 has pivoted thereon a `plurality of units or jgroups .of'ngers forlengaging the transverse partitions of the .carton and swinging Y.them downwardly into erected position. An intermediate group of fingers shown generally at 102 (FIGS. 1 and 4) comprises a unitary body having four fingers and mounted for pivotal movement about a spindle 104 in the head. A pair off these fingers 106 and 108 are aligned with each other from front to rear of the machine (FIGS. 1 and 12) and have their lower ends enlarged. and. inclined upwardlyand inwardly toward each other to conform to a transverse partition during its erection on opposite sides of the longitudinal Partition (FIGS, 12 and Y14). .Another pairiof fingers of the same unit are of shorter construction and aligned with each other from front to rear of the machine, one being shown at 110 (FIGS. l and 4). Fingers 106 and 110 and their rear counterparts have their lower ends bevelled on the left side, as shown, for depressing transverse partitions downwardly and toward the left (FIG. 4). Body 102 is formed with an actuating lug 112 for a purpose hereafter described.

The right hand finger group or unit 114 is pivotally mounted on a spindle 116 on the head (FIG. 1) ancl provided with erecting ngers similar to those of unit 102 but in reverse arrangement. That is, unit 114 carries a pair of fingers aligned from front to rear of the machine one of which is shown at 118, these fingers having enlarged lower ends inclined upwardly toward each other as in the case of fingers 106 and 108. This unit 114 has a similar pair of shorter fingers aligned from front -to rear, one of which -is shown at 120. The pairs of fingers 118 and 120 are upwardly and outwardly bevelled (FIG. 4) for swinging a pair of transverse partitions downwardly and to the right on opposite sides of the longitudinal partition. A coiled tension spring 122 connecting finger units 102 and 114, presses lug 112 of unit 102 against an end portion of-unit 114 and presses unit 114 against a stop screw `124 on the yhead (FIGS. 1 and 4) to normally maintain the lingers of this unit in the vertical positions shown 4in 1. Unit 114 is provided with a stop lug 126 positioned to engage an adjustable stop bolt 128 on the casting as the head reaches its lowermost position (FIG. l5) so as to swing these units and their lingers in opposite directions (FIG. 5*) to complete the erection of the transverse partitions.

A second pair of `finger units 130, 132 is similarly mounted on the left hand half of head 90 with the units and their parts positioned oppositely to those of the right hand half and shaped for erecting Ythe transverse partitions in the other half of the carton, unit 132 having a stop lug 134 for engagement with an adjustable stop bolt 136 on the casting, corresponding to stop -lug 126 and stop 4bolt 128 o f the right hand unit. As the head is lowered by means hereafter described, the several pairs o f ngers engage the transverse partitions as Ithe bottom sections and longitudinalpartition are distended by means hereafter described (FIG. 12) to depress and erect Vthe transverse partitions.

When the collapsed c arton is fed downwardly from the Ahopper by fingers ,98 Yof thehead, Athe/lower edge Aof the rear wall engages -appair of stoplugs 138 and a pair of leaf spring elevators 139 (FIGS. l, ll and l2) tc position and hold Athe Acarton as its body portions are distended by a wedge shapedvmevmber A140 (FIGS. l, 9 and 10). uMember 1740 is a plate with an upwardly extending wedge shaped end, as shown, the plate being pivoted at 142 on an arm144 pivoted in turn at `146 on the arm 78 fixed on and extending rearwardly from the vcasting 58 and supportingtheparallel Amotion linkages 72 and 74-of the hopper pusher frame as described above. A coiled tension spring-148 (FIGS. 9 and l0) has one end fixed at 150 onfarm'78fand -the other end fixed .at 152 on-a spur r154 onarm 144,1to-movefarrn 144 upwardly, while a coiled tension spring 156 has one end tixed at Y152 on spur 154'and the otherendfixed onastoppin 1 58 on the wedge shaped.pla te 140. These springs hold therear edge of the wedge shapedmember in yengagernent with the lower `portion of c asting58 (-FIG.Y.9) vwithjits absence?- point imposition to engage between the bottom sections 160 of a descending carton, to aid in separating the sec tions as shown in FIG. 10. The rear end of wedge shaped member 140 has a curved cam surface 162. A plurality of pivoted arms 170, hereafter more fully described, carry a cross bar 166 which is moved along the upper edge of plate 144 to depress it. Bar 166 subsequently engages cam surface 162 of plate 140 with the result that, in the swinging of arms 170, the wedge shaped member is depressed with the carton while positioned by stop pin 158 and moved forwardly (FIG. 13) to assist in distending the front Wall and forward bottom section of the carton as the carton is fed downwardly with the edge of its rear wall resting on the stop lugs 138. Wedge member 140 subsequently pushes the carton rear wall off the stop lugs and is lowered further and disengaged in an out-of-theway position (FIG. 16), while the erection of the carton is continued by its bottom supporting means which will now be described.

The carton supporting means, for supporting the bottom sections during depression of the transverse partitions, comprises a rock shaft 168 (FIGS. 6, 11, 12, 14 and 15) mounted in bearings on the rear wall of casting 58 and provided with the said plurality of forwardly extending arms 170 (FIGS. 1 and 8) which are slightly V-shaped at their forward ends, as shown, for engaging under and supporting the V-shaped bottom sections of the carton. The cross bar 160 connecting arms 170 carries a plurality of forwardly extending leaf springs 172 turned upwardly at their forward ends so as to embrace the lower edge of the front wall of the carton (FIGS. 12 and 14). The rock shaft 168 is rocked by means of an arm 174 fixed thereon (FIGS. l and 6) and carrying a cam follower roller 176 engaged in a cam slot 178 in a plate 180 fixed on the end of the erecting head 90. The slot is slightly inclined at its lower half, with only slight rocking of the shaft, but has a rearwardly curved upper portion 182 which rocks the shaft to swing its arms forwardly under the bottom sections of the carton, as shown in FIGS. 1l, l2, 14 and 15. An upper portion 184 of the slot holds the rock shaft stationary while the fingers are erecting the transverse partitions. On subsequent return of the erecting head upwardly to initial position, shaft 168 is rocked to withdraw the carton supporting arms to initial position.

tAfter the carton has been erected as described, the successive actuation of the erecting head engages the edge of the closure of the erected carton (FIG. l5) and pushes it down as at 186 (FIG. 20) into a forwardly extending receiving tray 188 mounted on an angle bar 190 on the machine frame. Rock shaft 168 has thereon an extension 192 (FIGS. 6 and 22) with its outer end pivotally connected with a link 194 (FIGS. 20 and 2l) the otherend of which is pivotally connected with an arm 196 fixed on a shaft 198 mounted to rock in bearings at its ends on the forward legs of the machine frame. Shaft 198 has fixed thereon a pair of ejector arms 200 extending upwardly through openings 202 in the bottom of the receiving tray 188. As-the erecting head is being lowered and shaft 168 rocked to erect the succeeding carton, arms 200 are retracted to engage behind the rear wall of the erected carton to move it forwardly in the tray. In such movement a cross bar 201 on the tray engages the carton cover and turns the carton so as to rest on its rear wall and' cover in the tray, as shown at 204 (FIG. 20). The body of the succeeding carton rides over the closure of the previous carton, so that the successive cartons are compactly assembled in an extension 205 of the tray.

The means for actuating the above described parts comprises a lever 206 (FIGS. l and 6) having its rear end pivoted in a bearing 208 on casting 58, with its forward end extended and provided with a manual operating handle 210. Lever 206 `is pivotally connected at 212 with a link 214 having its other end pivoted at 216 to the erecting head 90 so that movement of the lever reciprocates the erecting head up and down. A coiled tension: spring 218 has one end fixed to an arm 220 on lever 206 and its other end fixed at 222 to the top of the cross barf 59, and serves to counterbalance the weight of the parts.

In operation, as the handle 210 is depressed', the erect' ing head is moved downwardly to engage and feed a carton from the hopper 62. As the carton is fed downsV wardly, the wedge shaped plate engages between its bottom sections and is moved forwardly to press the forward bottom section and front wall of the carton forwardly away from the rear section and the rear wal-l." Continued downward movement of the carton brings its` rear wall to rest on the stop lugs 138 and spring elevators 139. Inclined lugs 98 push the tops of the longitudinal partition and the transverse partitions forwardly from the rear wall, thus continuing the distention of the walls. The' erecting fingers engage and depress the transverse partitions, further separating the walls until the transverse partitions are fully erected while the bottom sections are,

supported by the rock shaft arms. On upward movementY of the handle 210, spring elevators 139 raise therear" wall of the carton clear of the stop lugs 138, the carton being retained by the frictional engagement of its cover between the side post fingers 88 and' the pusher frame of the hopper. Succeeding depression of handle 210 to feed" another carton bringsthe inclined lugs 98 of the erectingv head into engagement with the edge of the erected carton cover and drops the carton into the receiving tray, as de'l scribed, the plate 140 camming the carton out over lugs 138, elevators 139 and springs 172.

A modified form of the invention comprises motorv means for automatically operating the above parts by an electric motor 230 (FIG. 24) having its base 232 mount`n ed on a cross bar platform 234 on the machine frame. The motor is connected by worm and gearV or othersuit-- able gearing (not shown) with a cross shaft 236 mounted` in bearings on the motor base and having fixed thereon a crank disk 238. A rod 240 is connected at one endI with a crank 241 (FIG. 23) on the disk and at its other; end with a lever 242 pivoted at 244 on Va main casting such as 58 of t-he first modification. Lever 242 is pivotally,

connected with a link 246 havingits other end connected'` at 248 with one end of a coiled tension spring 250 the other end of which is fixed at 252 to the other end ofA lever 242. Link 246 is pivotally connected at 254 withy a link 256 having its other end pivoted at 258 to one arm 260 of a bell crank lever 262. of lever 262 is pivotally connected with a link 266 corresponding to link 214 of the first modification land pivotally connected at 268 with the erecting head.

It is apparent from this construction that as the motorl rotates crank disk 238, the linkage operates 'the eracting' head up and down to feed, erect land eject the carton as described above, as long as the motor continues in oper? ation.

Means are provided for automatically discontinuing the operation of the motor on erection of the last canto-n in the hopper, comprising -a lever 270 (FIGS. 22 and 23),l

pivoted at 2.72 on a bracket on a center plate 173 depending from the top bar 59. Lever 270 is actuated by springl means (not shown) to normally pressl its lo'wer end against v the foremost carton in the hopper. 'Ihe other end 274 of to allow the same to open and actuate the relay in the motor circuit (as well understood in the art) to stop the-Ql motor, the relay being reset in operating condition on1 further operation of the machine.

Means are provided for opening the motor circuit in the event of obstruction of the operation of the machine l as, for example, by the derangement of a carton jamming;

The other arm 264 the operation. Such-meanseomprisesa lever278 (FIGS. 22 and 23) pivotally mounted at 2 80 on lever 242 and having its opposite end bearing against a leaf Aspring 282 on lever 242. Lever 242 carries a stop pin 284 against which lever 278 is actuated by spring 282. But bell crank lever 262 is formed with a `lug 2,86 normally bearing against the edge of lever 278 so as to separate it from the stop pin 284 and tension spring 282, as shown in FIG. 22. In the event of obstruction of the operation of the erecting means, the actuating linkage assumes the relation of the parts shown in FIG. 23, where the erecting head is arrested in partly lowered position but lever 242 has continued to its lowermost position. In such condition, lever 278 moves to its lowermost position against stop 284 and strikes a normally closed micro switch 288 on the frame, thereby opening the micro switch to operate known or suitable relay means to open the motor circuit. In such operation, the inertia of the parts carries the lower end of lever 242 slightly above its Alowermost position so as to raise lever 278 and release the micro switch for resetting of the relay means to operate the motor after clearing the machine of the obstrucf tion.

' This motor operated modification preferably comprises also a modified and extended means yfor discharging the erected cartons, comprising a V belt pulley 290 (FIG. 2 4) fixed on shaft 236. Pulleys 292 and 294 are mounted on an arm 295 pivoted on a shaft 299 mounted in bearings on the machine frame under the inner end of tray 300 (FIGS. 24 and 28) and having fixed thereon a pulley 2,96. Pulleys 292 294 and 296 carry a V belt 298 engaging yand driven by pulley 290. Shaft 299 carries a pair of V belt pulleys 302 driving a pair of V belts 304 (FIG. 2 4) running in an opening in the bottom of the tray and slightly above its bottom, with the other ends of the belts passing around pulleys 306 adjacent the forward end of the tray. Pulleys 306 are fixed on a shaft 308 mounted in bearings 310 on bracket means 312 on the frame below the tray (FIG. 28). Bracket means 312 supports spaced, forwardly projecting angle bars 314 having a shaft 316 mounted in the inner ends thereof and a shaft 318 (FIG. 25) in the outer ends. Shaft 316 carries a pair of pulleys 3 20 and shaft 318 a pair of pulleys 322 (FIGS. 24, 25 and 29) A pair of belts 324 engage these pulleys respectively for receiving cartons delivered thereto by the inner belts 304. Shaft 316 is driven intermittently by a ratchet mechanism (FIGS. 24, 26-29) comprising 'a hub 326 (FIGS. 26-27) pinned to the outer end of shaft 308 and formed with a series of threaded sockets 328 at varying eccentricity from the axis of the shaft. A set screw '330 (FIGS. 24 and 29) selectively engaged in a suitable one of these sockets is pivotally connected with a rod 332 having therein a slot 3734 slidably embracing shaft 3.16 to guide the outer end of rod 332. The rod carries spring actuated pawls 336 engaging ratchet wheel 338 fixed on the outer end of shaft 3176, so that the pulleys 3,20 and 322 are intermittently driven. Since belts 304 are continuously driven, the erected cartons delivered to tray 300 advance onto the intermittently driven belts 324 which slow down the rate of feed and accumulate the cartons in a manner equivalent to that shown in FIG. 20, thus providing a convenient increase in the quantity of cartons held bythe delivery trays until removed for filling with the intended contents.

, In operation, this motor driven or fully automatic modification feeds, erects and ejects the erected cartons in the manner described in connection with the first modification, except that the operation is automatic and continuous. Provision is made for the stopping of the machine on exhaustion of the cartons from Ythe hopper and on any accidental obstruction of the erecting operation. The erected cartons are positively moved through the receiving tray for convenient accumulation in its belt extension.

It is evident from the above description of the construction and operation that the invention provides a carton erecting machine which may be either hand operated or motor driven, in a compact-practical and eficient construction in which the carton is fed, erected and effectively supported during a continuous straight line motion of the feeding head, so as to accomplish a rapid, precise and reliable erecting operation. A substantial supply of cpllapsed cartons is conveniently positioned in the hopper at one side of the machine and delivered in erected condition and compact arrangement in a receiving tray at the other side of the machine. The above advantages are accomplished by a machine yhaving a relatively simple, practical and economical type of construction.

It will thus be seen that the invention accomplishes its objects and while it has been herein disclosed by reference to the details of preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that such disclosure is intended in an illustrative, rather than a limiting sense, as it is contemplated that various modifications in the construction and arrangement of the parts will readily occur to those skilled in the art, within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the Yappended claims.

I claim:

1. A machine for erecting collapsible cartons of the type having front and rear side walls foldably connected to the respective outer sides of bottom sections collapsing inwardly into V-shape between said side walls, and a top wall having transverse members adapted to be swung inwardly between said side walls in erecting the carton, said machine comprising a hopper for a stack of collapsed cartons, erecting means provided with fingers for an erecting head having a straight line vertical erecting movement and provided with fingers pivoted thereon for erecting said members, wedge shaped means for engaging between and separating said bottom sections during said movement of said erecting means, means having an inverted V-shape and mounted for pivotal movement for supporting said bottom sections during movement of said erecting means and fingers to erect said members, and means for actuating said erecting and supporting means in predetermined timed coordination with each other.

2.A machine for erecting collapsible cartons of the type having front and rear side walls foldably connected to the respective outer sides of bottom sections collapsing inwardly between said side walls, and a top wall having transverse members adapted to be swung inwardly between said side walls in erecting the carton, said machine comprising a hopper for a stack of collapsed cartons, erecting means provided with fingers for erecting said members, said erecting means being movable to advance a carton with said bottom sections foremost, wedge shaped means for engaging between said bottom sections during said movement of said erecting means to separate said sections, stationary stop means for engaging a bottom edge of one of said side Walls to arrest said carton during erection of said members by said fingers, means movable for supporting said bottom sections during erection of said members, cam means for moving said wedge shaped means to disengage said carton, and means for actuating said erecting means and supporting means and wedge shaped means in predetermined timed coordination with each other.

3. A machine for erecting collapsible cartons of the type having front and rear side walls foldably connected to the respective outer sides of bottom sections collapsing inwardly between said side walls and a top wall having v transverse members adapted to be swung inwardly between said side walls in erecting the carton, said machine comprising a hopper for a stack of collapsed cartons, an erecting head provided with fingers pivoted thereon for erecting said members, means for moving said head to engage and advance a carton with said bottom sections foremost, wedge shaped means movable to position for entry between said bottom sections during said movement of said erecting means to separate said sections, means having an inverted V-shape and movable to position for supporting said bottom sections during movement of said 9.` erecting means vandiinge'rs to erect'said members, a rock shaft having means for moving said wedge shaped means and said supporting means, and cam means on said head for actuating said rock shaft in predetermined timed coordination therewith.

4. A machine for erecting collapsible cartons of the type having front and rear side walls foldably connected tothe respective outer sides of bottom sections collapsing inwardly between said side walls and a top wall havingv transverse members adapted to be swung inwardly between said side walls in erecting the carton, said machine comprising a frame, a hopper on said frame for a stack of collapsed cartons, an erecting head having a straight line vertical movement on said frame and provided with lingers pivoted thereon for erecting said members, said head being movable to advance 'and erect a carton, means on said frame having an inverted V-shape for engaging between and separating said bottom sections during the feeding movement of a carton by said erecting means, means on said frame having an inverted V-shape and movable to position for supporting said bottom sections during movement of said erecting means and fingers to erect said members, an electric motor on said frame, yieldable drive means connecting said motor with said head and supporting means, a switch on said frame controlling said motor circuit and a part yieldably mounted on said drive means for actuating said switch when the movements of said head and supporting means are subjected to an obstruction.

l5. A'machine for erecting collapsible cartons of the type having front and rear side walls foldably connected to the respective outer sides of bottom sections collapsing inwardly between said side walls, and a top wall having transverse members adapted to be swung inwardly between said side walls in erecting the carton, said machine comprising a frame, la hopper on said frame for a stack of collapsed cartons, an erecting head having a straight line vertical movement on said frame and provided with ngers pivoted thereon for erecting said members, said head being movable to feed and erect a carton, means on said frame having an inverted V-shape for separating said bottom sections during the feeding movement of a carton by said head, means on said frame having an inverted V-shape yand movable to position for supporting said bottom sections during movement of said head and fingers to erect said members, an electric motor on said frame, means driven by said motor for moving said head and supporting means, a switch on said frame controlling the circuit of said motor and feeler means movably positioned on said frame for engagement with the cartons in said hopper for actuating said switch to stop said motor when the last carton is exhausted from said hopper.

6. A machine for erecting collapsible cartons of the type having front and rear side Walls foldably connected to the respective outer sides of bottom sections collapsible inwardly between said side Walls and a top Wall having transverse members adapted to be swung inwardly between said side walls in erecting the canton, said machine comprising a hopper for a stack of collapsed cartons, and a tray for receiving erected cartons, erecting means having a straight line vertical movement and provided with fingers for erecting said members, means for moving said erecting means to feed a canton from said hopper, means for engaging between and separating said bottom sections during said movement of said erecting means, means having an inverted V-shape and movable to position to support said bottom sections during movement of said erecting means and ngers to erect said members and to discharge an erected carton to said tray, =a rst belt means operating through openings in said tray to discharge erected cartons therefrom, a second belt means for receiving erected cartons ejected from said tray, and an electric motor provided with means for continuously driving said rst belt means on said tray and for intermittently driving said second belt means to accumulate the erected;

cartons thereon. v v

7. A machine for erecting a collapsible carton of the type having front and rear side walls foldably connected to the respective outer sides of bottom sections collapsible inwardly into V-shape between said side walls and a top wall foldable centrally upon itself and having transverse members adapted to be swung inwardly between said side walls in erecting the carton, said machine comprising a frame, a hopper on said frame for la stack of collapsedcartons, an erecting head having a straight line vertical movement on said frame, means on said head to engage and feed a carton from said hopper with its bottom sections foremost, stationary stop means on said frame for arresting a carton in erecting position, wedge shaped means on said head for depressing and unfolding said top wall, means movable on said frame to enter between and distend said V-shaped bottom sections, means movable on said frame to support said bottom sections in inverted V-shape, a plurality of ngers on said head for depressing said transverse members to complete erection of said carton, and means for ejecting said carton.

8. A machine for erecting a collapsible carton of thel type having front and rear side walls foldably connected to the respective outer sides of bottom sections collapsible inwardly into V-shape between said side wal-ls and a top wall foldable centrally upon itself and having transverse members adapted to be swung inwardly between said side walls in erecting the carton, said machine comprising a frame, a hopper on said frame for a `stack of collapsed cartons, an erecting head having a straight line vertical movement on said frame, spring means for counterbalancing said head, means on said head to engage and feed a carton from said hopper with its bottom sections foremost, means for arresting a carton in erecting position, wedge shaped means on said head for depressing and unfolding said top Wall, means movable on said frame to enter between and distend said V-shaped bottom sections, means movable on said frame to support said bottom sections in ver-tical V-shape, a plurality of fingers pivotally mounted on said head for depressing said transverse members to complete erection of said carton and means for ejecting said carton.

9. A machine for erecting a coll-apsible carton of the type having front and rear side walls foldably connected to the respective outer sides of bottom sections` collapsible inwardly tinto V-shape between said side Walls and a top wall foldable centrally upon itself and having transverse members adapted to be swung inwardly between said side walls in erecting the carton, said machine comprising a frame, a hopper on said frame for a stack of collapsed cartons, lan erecting head having a straight line vertical movement on said frame, means on said head operating to feed a carton from said hopper with its bottom sections formost and to partially unfold and eject an erected carton, means on said frame for arresting a carton in erected position, spring means for supporting said carton in erected position and for releasing the same from said stop means, means on said frame having an inverted V-shape and movable to enter between and distend said V-shaped bottom sections and to partially eject said carton, means on said frame having an inverted V-shape yand movable to support said bottom sections, a plurality of iingers on said head for depressing said transverse members to complete the erection of said carton, and means yfor ejecting said carton.

l0. A machine for erecting a collapsible carton of the type having front and rear side walls foldably connected to the respective outer sides of bottom sections collapsible inwardly into V-shape between said side walls and la top wall foldable centrally upon itself and having transverse members adapted to be swung inwardly between said side walls in erecting the carton, said machine comprising a frame, a hopper on -said frame for a stack of collapsed cartons, an erecting head having a straight line vertical 11 movement on said frame, means on said head to feed a carton from said hopper with its bottom sections foremost and to partially erect the same, stop means on said frame for arresting a carton in erecting position, means on said frame having an inverted V-shape and movable to enter between and distend said bottom sections and to partially eject said carton, means having an inverted V- shape and movable on said frame to support said bottom sections, a plurality of ttingers pivoted on said head for depressing said transverse members, stationary stop means on said frame for pivotally moving said fingers and means for ejecting said carton.

11. A machine for erecting a collapsible carton of the type having `front and rear side walls foldably connected to the respective outer sides of bottom sections collapsible inwardly into V-shape between said side walls and a top wall foldable centrally upon itself and having transverse members adapted to `be swung inwardly between said side walls in erecting the carton, said machine comprising a frame, a hopper on said frame for a stack of collapsed cartons, an erecting head having a straight line vertical movement on said frame, means Xed on said head to feed a carton from said hopper with its bottom sections foremost, means on said frame for arresting a carton in erecting position, means on said frame having an inverted V-shape and movable to distend said V- shaped bottom sections, means having an inverted V- shape and pivotally movable on said frame to support said bottom sections, a plurality of sets of fingers pivotally mounted on said head for depressing said transverse members to complete erection of said carton, stop means on said frame for actuating certain of said sets of lingers,

means connecting said sets of ngers for actuating the remainder of said sets and means for ejecting said carton.

12. A machine for erecting a collapsible carton of the type having front and rear side walls foldably connected to the respective outer sides of bottom sections collapsible inwardly into V-shape between said side walls and a top wall foldable centrally upon itself and having transverse members adapted to be swung inwardly between said side walls in erecting the carton, said machine comprising a frame, a hopper on said :frame for a stack of collapsed cartons, an erecting head having a straight line vertical movement on said frame, means on said head to engage and feed a carton from said hopper with its bottom sections foremost, stop means on said frame for arresting a carton in erecting position, means having an inverted V-shape and movable on said frame to enter between and distend said V-shaped bottom sections, means having an inverted V-shape and movable on said frame to support said bottom sections in inverted V-shape, a rock shaft on said frame provided with means for actuating said V-shaped distending and supporting means, cam means on said head for operating said rock shaft, a plurality of ngers on said head for depressing said transverse members to complete erection of said carton, and means for ejecting said carton.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,018,396 Burger Oct. 22, 1935 2,572,800 Carkhuf Oct. 23, 1951 2,700,922 Jordan Feb. 1, 1955 2,826,967 Hatcher Mar. 18, 1958 

